Legal Careers

From law clerks to staff attorneys to federal public defenders to in-house counsel at the Administrative Office, the federal Judiciary provides diverse and rewarding careers for new and experienced attorneys.

Staff Attorney and Law Clerk

Video of Federal Judiciary Careers: Staff Attorney and Law Clerk

Staff attorneys and law clerks provide the court with procedural and substantive legal advice regarding the disposition and efficient completion of cases. They review, summarize, research, and analyze matters before the court. Their research and recommendations assist the court in resolving legal arguments presented and in deciding cases expeditiously. They:

conduct legal research;

review case records and filings, and analyze options;

draft legal memoranda and propose opinions and orders;

discuss legal analysis with judges; and

provide procedural information to pro se litigants and counsel.

Staff attorneys and law clerks must be graduates of law schools in good standing and possess other qualifications related to professional and academic accomplishment specified by employing judges and courts. Some professional legal experience also may be desired.

Assistant Federal Public Defender

Video of Federal Judiciary Careers: Assistant Federal Public Defender

Assistant federal public defenders enforce the United States Constitution’s Sixth Amendment right to counsel by representing those charged with a crime who cannot afford an attorney. More than 80 federal defender organizations located in every state employ the assistants according to the Criminal Justice Act. Assistants are appointed by the court to provide representation in federal criminal cases and related matters. They:

provide legal representation to clients charged with federal criminal offenses or involved in other matters mandated by the Act;

This site is maintained by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts on behalf of the Federal Judiciary. The purpose of this site is to provide information from and about the Judicial Branch of the U.S. Government.

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